Drive & Crash: Poach on DTL Drives, Hold on Cross-Court

Summary

Elite Pickleball Coaching gives two drive-and-crash rules. When your partner drives down the line (in front of the opponent), the crasher can get bigger and poach — it’s hard for them to go behind you while dealing with a drive at them.

When the drive goes cross-court, the crasher must hold midcourt: it’s easy for the opponent to go behind an over-aggressive crash. From the hold, attack a high ball or reset a good volley.

Key takeaways

• DTL drive → crasher can shade/poach
• Cross-court drive → crasher holds midcourt
• From the hold: attack highs, reset clean volleys

Action items

• Call “DTL / cross” on every partner drive before you move
• One game: crash only on DTL drives — hold everything else